Day 2 (Sun): Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk – Alblasserdam (Approx. 56 km/34 mi.) | Alblasserdam – Dordrecht
After breakfast you will cycle a beautiful route to Schoonhoven – nicknamed Zilverstad (Silver City) – a city renowned for its talented silver smiths since the 17th century. As you continue to cycle along the Lek River you will pass through the Alblasserwaard region to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills – one of which you can visit – which have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing. Nearby Alblasserdam the barge will pick you up to sail to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.

 Day 3 (Mon): Dordrecht – Tholen | Tholen – Kreekrak lock (Approx. 34 km/20 mi.) | Kreekrak lock – Antwerp
During breakfast the MS Fluvius will sail to Tholen where you will start your day’s cycling by visiting the “Wouwse Plantage” forest. Other attractions on the day are the fortress town of Bergen op Zoom and the impressive Kreekrak lock. After meeting up with the MS Fluvius you will finish your day by sailing to the port city of Antwerp which is situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds and has many attractions that include: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. After dinner visit the beautiful old city center.

Day 4 (Tue): Antwerp – Temse – Dendermonde (Approx. 55 km/34 mi.)
Today’s tour will see you cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, your home for the night. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.

Day 5 (Wed): Dendermonde – Ghent (Approx. 40-54 km/32-24 mi.)
This morning you will either start cycling from St. Amands or will sail to Dendermonde where you will start cycling. From Dendermonde you continue to follow the river Schelde in the direction of Ghent where the MS Fluvius will moor for the night at a lock in Lovendegem. Ghent is a lively university city that boasts a rich history. The city’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has meant that it has been a major trading port since Roman times. The city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. A major attraction is St. Bavo Cathedral where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including the world famous ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck are kept.

Day 6 (Thu): Ghent – Bruges (Approx. 45 km/28 mi.)
Today you will pedal from Ghent through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders to Bruges, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North’. The city attracts more than two million visitors every year who come for the ambience of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center. An outstanding example of a medieval settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries, with the result that today the city’s original Gothic constructions form an integral part of the town's identity. While you are here you can visit one of Bruges' many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.

Day 7 (Fri): Tour around Bruges to the North Sea (Approx. 50 km/30 mi.)
Your final day of cycling takes you along a quiet canal and past beautiful poplar trees through an attractive polder landscape (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments) dotted with small farm houses to the North Sea coast. Here you will have the opportunity to swim in the sea along an inviting 12 kilometre sandy beach, visit any one of numerous cafés and see the attractive dune landscape of “Het Zwin” (a unique nature reserve). On the return ride to Bruges you will cycle along a small picturesque canal.

Day 8 (Sat): Disembarkation: Bruges
Disembarkation after breakfast until 10 AM: End of your trip.

ITINERARY   BRUGES TO AMSTERDAM   FLUVIUS

Day 1 (Sat): Embarkation: Bruges
The MS Fluvius awaits you in the Bruges harbour. Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from early in the afternoon. You will have plenty of time to discover the beautiful historical city of Bruges, aptly named the “Pearl of Flanders”, during the afternoon and in the evening.

Day 2 (Sun): Bruges – Ghent (Approx. 56 km/34 mi.)
Your cycle tour starts today as the MS Fluvius sails out of Bruges early in the morning. Following the distribution of bicycles after breakfast you will start pedaling towards Ghent through the beautiful Flemish landscape along the Ghent canal. On arrival in Ghent enjoy the best of what this beautiful city has to offer during an afternoon stroll. The town center of Ghent features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the historical center of the city has to be seen to be believed (during the Middle Ages Ghent was the 2nd largest European city after Paris). The MS Fluvius will dock for the night at the Merelbeke lock, in a suburb of Ghent and approx. 15 cycling minutes to the city center.

 Day 3 (Mon): Ghent – Dendermonde (Approx. 40-53 km/24-32 mi.)
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde which is located at the junction of Dender and Schelde Rivers. The skipper will discuss with guests the departure time of today’s tour which may vary depending on whether it is high or low tide and the subsequent speed of the barge. You will travel from Dendermonde to St. Amands by either bike or barge depending on the tides. Your floating hotel will be docked for the night in St. Amands.

Day 4 (Tue): Dendermonde – Antwerp (Approx. 59 km/35.4 mi.)
Today we will follow the Schelde River further downstream through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to Antwerp. This part of the route is along a most beautiful and twisting section of the Schelde which over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Antwerp, your destination for the day, is a harbour city situated on the river Schelde famous for handling up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds and as the birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. There are many highlights in the city to discover including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

Day 5 (Wed): Antwerp – Kreekrak locks | Kreekrak locks – Tholen (Approx. 34 km/20 mi.) | Tholen – Willemstad – Dordrecht 
The MS Fluvius will sail this morning along the Schelde-Rhine Canal to the huge Kreekrak lock system. From here your bike tour to Tholen, a former fishing village in the Dutch province of Zeeland starts. You will cycle through the “Wouwse Plantage” and along the fortress town of Bergen op Zoom. From Tholen you will cruise with the ship through the impressive Volkerak lock system, along the fortified town of Willemstad and then on to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities of the Netherlands and your destination for the day. 

Day 6 (Thu): Dordrecht – Alblasserdam | Alblasserdam – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen (Approx. 55 km/33 mi.)
The barge will bring you to Alblasserdam . From here you will cycle to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO cultural heritage-listed windmills – one of which you can visit (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments). You will then continue to cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek where you will spend the evening. Since the 17th century Schoonhoven – nicknamed Silver City – has been renowned for its talented silversmiths.

Day 7 (Fri): Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen – Amsterdam (Approx. 46 km/28 mi.)
During breakfast the MS Fluvius will cruise to Breukelen where you disembark and start your final day of cycling. Ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its beautiful mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. After cycling through the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland you arrive at Nigtevecht where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden and on to Amsterdam where you will meet the barge for the final time in the Amsterdam harbour.

Day 8 (Sat): Disembarkation: Amsterdam
Disembarkation after breakfast until 10 AM: End of your trip. If you wish, you can explore Amsterdam or one of its numerous museums, do some shopping or go on a canal tour (not included).